During the last tax year, the company achieved three of its best ever prices. A previously unrecorded painting by popular 18th century English equestrian artist John Wootton established a new record price for Halls of £326,000 and a two-stone diamond pendant sold for £118,000 at the same auction in October 2010.

Then, in April this year, a rare George I scarlet and gilt Japanned double domed bureau cabinet sold for £120,000.

“It has been a record year for both the fine art department and for vendors,” said Halls’ fine art director Jeremy Lamond. “We now want to build on this success in 2012 with a new range of targeted sales for Asian art, coins and medals, militaria, musical instruments, equestrian and sporting in addition to our regular programme.

“Selling at auction offers a chance to realise quickly the true market value of your assets and we are optimistic that people will continue to use our services during 2012.

“Due to our successful track record and growing reputation across the UK, we have sold a number of important collections, in areas such as Chinese ceramics and works of art, decorative ceramics, toys and model trains, on behalf of vendors from many parts of the country.

“Our experts are happy to travel to view collections in any part of the country if the vendor is interested in either selling or receiving an insurance valuation.

“With the move towards recycling and the relative affordability of antique furniture, I predict that people will be looking to furnish their homes more cheaply during 2012.

“There may be a marginal rise in the price of antique furniture that obviously lasts a long time and is eco-friendly. This is a good time for the brown furniture market, which has been in the doldrums far too long, to take off again.”